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Child in hospital after being diagnosed with meningococcal in WA

A child is recovering in hospital after being diagnosed with meningococcal disease in Western Australia.
WA Health revealed the child contracted the serogroup B strain of the rare but serious bacterial infection.
Five meningococcal cases have been reported in the state over the past year.
Meningococcal B is now the dominant strain of the disease.
Meningococcal B is now the dominant strain of the disease. (Supplied)
About 18 meningococcal cases were reported with no deaths last year.
The illness, which could be life-threatening, is not easily spread from person-to-person.
The bacterium is present in droplets discharged from the nose and throat when coughing or sneezing but is not spread by saliva and does not survive more than a few seconds in the environment.
Symptoms include sudden fever, headache, tiredness, nausea and vomiting, drowsiness, confusion and severe muscle and joint pains.
If these symptoms occur, Australians are urged to seek medical assistance as the disease can be fatal within hours if left untreated.
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A vaccine for meningococcal B, the strain detected in most cases this year, is free for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children up to two years old, and for those with certain medical conditions.
The MenACWY vaccine is also offered free to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged from 6 weeks to 12 months.
It's also provided for free for babies at 12 months and a second dose is provided to teenagers in year 10.
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